Apparatus, and associated method, for providing an electronic storage box for securely storing data in electronic form

Abstract

Apparatus, and an associated methodology, for archiving electronic data at an electronic security box. A front-end user makes arrangements with a trusted data manager, such as a banking entity, for the creation of an electronic security box. The trusted data manager arranges with a back-end facility operator for the formation of the electronic security box. Once created, the front-end user is provided with selectable access to the electronic security box, both to store data in electronic form thereat and to retrieve the contents, once stored.

1 . Apparatus for archiving front-end user data of a front-end user in electronic form at a back-end facility maintained by a facility operator, said apparatus comprising:
 a storage device positioned at the back-end facility, said storage device configured selectably to store the front-end user data at an electronic security box formed selectably at said storage device and to permit access thereto;   a trusted data manager controller positionable in communication connectivity with the facility operator, said trusted data manager controller configured to cause creation of the electronic security box formed at said storage device and to cause selection of access parameters that define access criteria provided for access to the data stored thereat.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said storage device comprises a data server. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the back-end facility at which said storage device is positioned comprises a physically isolated facility, isolated physically from said trusted data manager controller. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electronic security box formed at said storage device is of a first selected storage capacity. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said trusted data manager controller further controls selection of the first selected storage capacity of the electronic security box. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a trusted data manager operator operates said trusted data manager controller and wherein said trusted data manager controller is configured to be positioned remote from the trusted data manager operator. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said trusted data manager controller is further configured to be positionable in communication connectivity with the front-end user. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the access parameters caused to be selected by said trusted data manager controller are front end user related parameters. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first end user is positionable in communication connectivity with said storage device and wherein the access parameters that define the access criteria are known to the front-end user. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the selectable access to the front-end user data stored at the electronic security box of said storage device is provided to the front-end user. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a communication pathway formable between the front-end user and said storage device, the communication pathway configured to form a communication path for routing of a request made by the front-end user to access the front-end user data. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the trusted data manager controller is operated by a trusted data manager operator and wherein the communication path formed of said communication pathway provider for routing of the request free of routing by way of the trusted data manager operator. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a request decider adapted to receive the request, the request decider configured to decide whether to grant the request communicated thereto by the front end user. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein, upon grant by said request decider of the request, the front-end user data accessed by the front-end user is provided by way of the communication pathway. 
     
     
         15 . A method for archiving front-end user data of a front-end user in electronic form at a back-end facility maintained by a facility operator, said method comprising the operations of:
 forming an electronic security box at a storage device of the back-end facility;   providing, by a trusted data manager, availability to the front-end user the electronic security box;   selecting access parameters that define access criteria needed to access the electronic security box;   selectably granting access to the electronic security box to the front-end user.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the facility operator and the trusted data manager comprise separate entities and wherein said method further comprises the operation of informing the trusted data manager of formation during said operation of forming of the electronic security box. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said operation of selecting the access parameters is performed through interaction between the front-end user and the trusted data manager. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the operation of requesting, by the user, the access to the electronic security box, request made directly between the front-end user and the facility operator. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the request includes the access parameter. 
     
     
         20 . A system available to a bank that has a banking customer, said system comprising:
 a third party storage device positioned remote from the bank, said third party storage device configured selectably to store banking customer data at an electronic security box formed at said third party storage device; and   a bank controller positionable in communication connectivity with the banking customer and with said third party storage device, said bank controller configured to cause selection of an access parameter that defines access criteria provided for access by the banking customer to the electronic security box.